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Our values

Rural America is a place of untapped potential. As an organization, we believe it takes a culture of collaboration one built upon integrity, respect, and trust to achieve equity and help rural people and places take on meaningful roles in the 21st-century tech economy.

About Organization

The Center On Rural Innovation (CORI) is a nonprofit action tank advancing economic prosperity in rural America through the creation of inclusive tech economy ecosystems that support scalable entrepreneurship and tech job creation. Guided by a strong belief in rural ingenuity and small-town potential, CORI and its collaborating organization, Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. (RISI), provides strategic support to rural communities wanting to develop inclusive, resilient tech ecosystems. Our systems approach to tech economy ecosystems involves building a nationwide network of local economic change agents; increasing the technical workforce and access to tech jobs; using mapping and data to highlight rural opportunities; making direct investments in underserved rural entrepreneurs; and closing the digital divide so all Americans can participate in the 21st century tech economy. We are currently working with 38 towns across 25 states in the Rural Innovation Network to execute on this model.

About the Economic Recovery Corp (ERC) Program

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $30 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance cooperative agreement to the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and its assembled partners to establish and operate a nationwide Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) program. The programs design will accelerate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and promote economic resilience and competitiveness in the communities served.

As a partner of IEDC, CORI has been selected to train and manage an eight Fellow subcohort focused on innovation-based rural economic recovery over a two and a half year period in a variety of economic development organizations, economic development districts, and entrepreneurial support organizations throughout rural communities in the Rural Innovation Network specifically focused on supporting the development of a tech based economy. The program will help to build the skills and capacity of a new generation of economic development leaders, generate a pipeline of practitioners focused on equitable regional economic development within the tech sector, and better connect communities directly to federal economic development resources and opportunities to support this transformational work.

The program will have two main focus areas:

1) Providing training to build capacity in under-resourced communities to access funding and participate in economic development programs and planning, including Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) through the placement and training of Fellows; and

2) Conducting, curating and disseminating research, best practices, and data to drive

economic development practices and more equitable economic outcomes.

About the Role

The Innovation Leadership Program Manager will perform duties related to directing and coordinating the activities of the Fellowship program to ensure program goals and objectives are accomplished. The program manager will also develop the mapping of the fellowship program structure in addition to providing sound guidance and mentorship to fellowship program participants in the CORI cohort. The program manager will work closely with CORI leadership to build a unique and impactful program, providing day-to-day oversight of the Fellows program and serving as the primary point of contact with Fellows and other partners in the program. The ideal candidate will take the lead in managing the Fellowship budget as well as develop, oversee and coordinate all Fellowship program activities for the CORI-led cohort (both remote and in-person).

Duties/responsibilities:

• Design and execute a comprehensive rural tech focused leadership and professional development program
• Develop and manage the Fellowship program serving as the liaison between CORI, CORI partners, communities and the fellows participating in the program
• Support Fellow-Community placements; provide direction and guidance on work plan development, progress reporting, and performance evaluation processes
• Oversee the fellows completion of IEDC onboarding processes, orientation activities, and training sessions
• Facilitate individual and group meetings to provide coaching and support towards desired program outcomes
• Support and monitor project progress and provide regular updates to community stakeholders
• Providing support on creating additional economic leadership initiatives and leadership development strategies for CORI to assist in advancing innovation focused economic development in rural communities
• Apply an equity lens to designing systems and programs

Requirements

Required skills/attributes:

• 5 or more years of experience in one of the following areas: policy making, education, program design, community leadership, economic development or research

• Demonstrated experience in community and economic development work
• Proven experience developing curriculum for and leading adult educational programs, with special preference for those that have designed and managed fellowships or cohort-based programs
• Experience teaching and sharing best practices through online events and facilitated working groups
• Demonstrated experience managing a team and leading projects to successful completion
• Proven ability to develop, fully engage and empower talented people and programs in a team-based, collaborative environment
• Understanding of innovative economic development and organizational practices, including strategic planning, relationship management, fund-raising, and project management
• Ability to sustain a high level of productivity and work independently while being part of a collaborative team
• Strong computer skills, including use of Google Suite, web based collaboration and project management tools, and virtual presentation platforms
• Detail oriented with strong organizational and time management skills, especially around balancing multiple workstreams
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Experience with non-profits and economic development entities is preferred
• Rural lived experience required; preference to candidates currently living in rural communities

Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Location: This is a remote position. Travel to rural communities across the United States will be required, as well as periodic travel to the CORI/RISI headquarters in Vermont for strategic planning and alignment with the team (Approximately 25%-35%).

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Estimated Jan 4, 2024 start.
• We will manage the application and review process using our Workable platform. Please direct all inquiries through this system. We are unable to respond to phone inquiries at this time.

Benefits

• Personal and professional development opportunities
• Health, dental, vision, and short-term disability insurance
• 15 days PTO (accrued) plus 8 floating holidays (pro-rated based on start date)
• Employer matched 401k after 90 days
• The salary for this position is $80-90k depending on experience
  
  
  We are an Equal Opportunity Employerpeople of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities. We are interested in your ambitions, personal experiences, great ideas, and passions, and believe that everyones unique story and perspective adds value to our organization.
  
  
  At this time we are not considering candidates from theWest Coastdue to time zone scheduling complexities.
  
  Must be authorized to work in the US - no sponsorship offered at this time.